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Maxine Justice #1
Galactic Attorney
Can Justice Save the Earth from Extinction?
Maxine Justice is an ambulance-chasing lawyer desperate for relevance and cash when aliens hire her to represent them before the United Nations. An off-planet consortium wants to heal humanity of every natural disease in exchange for 30% of Earth’s gold reserves.
The deal launches Max to legal stardom and makes her an international target for assassins. MediCorp, Star Cross, PharFuture—the big medical companies all have good reasons to want Max out of the way. Worse, she discovers her alien clients may be planning something more sinister than anyone has imagined.
Can a lawyer who failed the bar exam three times find some way to save the world from global and interstellar conspiracies? Or will humankind’s future end in a galactic courtroom?
Maxine Justice is an ambulance-chasing lawyer desperate for relevance and cash when aliens hire her to represent them before the United Nations. An off-planet consortium wants to heal humanity of every natural disease in exchange for 30% of Earth’s gold reserves.
The deal launches Max to legal stardom and makes her an international target for assassins. MediCorp, Star Cross, PharFuture—the big medical companies all have good reasons to want Max out of the way. Worse, she discovers her alien clients may be planning something more sinister than anyone has imagined.
Can a lawyer who failed the bar exam three times find some way to save the world from global and interstellar conspiracies? Or will humankind’s future end in a galactic courtroom?
304 pages, Hardcover
Published March 29, 2022
13 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Schwabauer
18 books216 followersDaniel Schwabauer, ThD, teaches English at MidAmerica Nazarene University and writes award-winning fantasy and science fiction novels. He earned an MA in creative writing under science fiction legend James Gunn and completed his doctoral work in semiotic theology with Leonard Sweet. He lives in Olathe, Kansas, with his wife and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
November 14, 2021
Daniel Schwabauer’s Maxine Justice brings a blend of the intriguing sci-fi of Kerry Neitz with the legal intrigue of John Grisham. This is one of those gripping page-turners that that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute!
December 11, 2021
I finished this book minutes ago and I'm still internally screaming at how amazing it is.
First of all, it's worth noting that I read this book in three days -- and, if you know me, you know that it often takes me a couple of weeks to read a book just because I'm so slow at actually taking the time to read.
But this book? A massive exception. I /loved/ it.
From the moment I read the first line of the first chapter, I was hooked. Maxine's character voice is so quirky and hilarious, /all/ of the characters are just so amazing and well-developed, and I also appreciate how the Christian faith was weaved into the story without being preachy or obnoxious! Not to mention that the book itself was very clean -- no swearing, no excessive gore or violence... there is a vague reference to drugs but it serves its intended effect for sure.
And I'd mention the whirlwind that the ending gave me, but that, my friend, would be spoilers.
But the plot was epic, there were so many twists and turns and I absolutely love that "oh!" moment at how it all tied together in the end. This was a very satisfying read and I do not regret the three days I spent binge-reading it.
First of all, it's worth noting that I read this book in three days -- and, if you know me, you know that it often takes me a couple of weeks to read a book just because I'm so slow at actually taking the time to read.
But this book? A massive exception. I /loved/ it.
From the moment I read the first line of the first chapter, I was hooked. Maxine's character voice is so quirky and hilarious, /all/ of the characters are just so amazing and well-developed, and I also appreciate how the Christian faith was weaved into the story without being preachy or obnoxious! Not to mention that the book itself was very clean -- no swearing, no excessive gore or violence... there is a vague reference to drugs but it serves its intended effect for sure.
And I'd mention the whirlwind that the ending gave me, but that, my friend, would be spoilers.
But the plot was epic, there were so many twists and turns and I absolutely love that "oh!" moment at how it all tied together in the end. This was a very satisfying read and I do not regret the three days I spent binge-reading it.
March 25, 2022
Schwabauer has done it again! Full of vibrant characters and a dash of slapstick humor to keep you turning pages, Maxine Justice is a fascinating exploration of the complex nature of what it means to be human in a fresh, unique way.
Each of the characters is vividly memorable in their own way, but Maxine has to be my favorite. She’s the epitome of a flawed yet sympathetic character. She hides her insecurity behind a false sense of bravado, trying to give the impression that she’s got it all together when on the inside, she’s crumbling. All her well-meaning mistakes only made me root for her all the more. She’s daring and stubborn, but also sincere, in her own way. And her dry humor had me chuckling all the way through!
I didn’t really like Singh at first, but he grew on me as the story progressed, although I’m still not sure what to think of the whole concept of a “pastoroid.” It’s certainly a fascinating concept.
Despite the fact that I’m not a fan of legal thrillers, the author managed to hold my interest throughout the story, despite some of the legal jargon. I actually found it quite an insightful look into the world of law.
Besides his gift for creating amazing character casts, Schwabauer’s strong point is building brilliant story worlds without the reader having to wade through tons of info-dumping. He revealed it gradually, in a way that flowed with the story and allowed me to explore this new world alongside Maxine.
All along, we’re given little clues here and there that not everything is as it seems, until he builds it to the climax where the truth finally comes to light and the pieces start to click into place. I appreciated that while there was an obvious Christian influence to the book, it wasn’t heavy-handed. More, it formed the backbone of the entire story, and because of that, the author didn’t have to spell it out.
One of my very favorite aspects of Schwabauer’s books (as if anything can top what I just mentioned, but hear me out), is how masterfully yet subtly he builds real-world truths and scenarios into his fictional worlds so that by the time you reach the end, you realize it was a story about our world all along. He’s not afraid to shy away from the tough, the controversial, and the gray areas. And yet, he never tells you what to think. Instead, he gives you the tools to form your own conclusions, and that, I think, is the mark of a good storyteller.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy insightful, complex science fiction in the style of James Gunn and Terry Pratchett. Even if you’re not into science fiction, consider trying it out. You may find you just can’t put it down.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
Each of the characters is vividly memorable in their own way, but Maxine has to be my favorite. She’s the epitome of a flawed yet sympathetic character. She hides her insecurity behind a false sense of bravado, trying to give the impression that she’s got it all together when on the inside, she’s crumbling. All her well-meaning mistakes only made me root for her all the more. She’s daring and stubborn, but also sincere, in her own way. And her dry humor had me chuckling all the way through!
I didn’t really like Singh at first, but he grew on me as the story progressed, although I’m still not sure what to think of the whole concept of a “pastoroid.” It’s certainly a fascinating concept.
Despite the fact that I’m not a fan of legal thrillers, the author managed to hold my interest throughout the story, despite some of the legal jargon. I actually found it quite an insightful look into the world of law.
Besides his gift for creating amazing character casts, Schwabauer’s strong point is building brilliant story worlds without the reader having to wade through tons of info-dumping. He revealed it gradually, in a way that flowed with the story and allowed me to explore this new world alongside Maxine.
All along, we’re given little clues here and there that not everything is as it seems, until he builds it to the climax where the truth finally comes to light and the pieces start to click into place. I appreciated that while there was an obvious Christian influence to the book, it wasn’t heavy-handed. More, it formed the backbone of the entire story, and because of that, the author didn’t have to spell it out.
One of my very favorite aspects of Schwabauer’s books (as if anything can top what I just mentioned, but hear me out), is how masterfully yet subtly he builds real-world truths and scenarios into his fictional worlds so that by the time you reach the end, you realize it was a story about our world all along. He’s not afraid to shy away from the tough, the controversial, and the gray areas. And yet, he never tells you what to think. Instead, he gives you the tools to form your own conclusions, and that, I think, is the mark of a good storyteller.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy insightful, complex science fiction in the style of James Gunn and Terry Pratchett. Even if you’re not into science fiction, consider trying it out. You may find you just can’t put it down.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
June 20, 2025
Lawyer secret number five: when you're in trouble, smile. When you're in deep trouble, smile bigger.
This book was just so much fun. I didn't really know what to expect walking into it, but what I found was a book with several laugh-out-loud moments, and a lovely message to boot. Maxine herself is delightfully messy, unlikeable at times, but with so much charm that you can't help but root for her. The world is fascinating and fun to explore. I worried I was going to be lost in the courtroom scenes, but I was never confused. There are kidnapped cats and overworked gluten-allergic assistants and AI pastors who will steal your heart, and so many moments where I just had to chuckle at the inner narration of Max. I enjoyed myself so much, and it gets 4.5 stars from me! I can't wait to see what Schwabauer has in store next!
A jury was, after all, a human animal, and nothing clogged the gears of civilization so thoroughly as a human.
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
re-read 2025:
This was just as much fun the second time through. Color me prepared for part 2 this fall! (I also listened to the audiobook this time through and it was a great time 👏)
This book was just so much fun. I didn't really know what to expect walking into it, but what I found was a book with several laugh-out-loud moments, and a lovely message to boot. Maxine herself is delightfully messy, unlikeable at times, but with so much charm that you can't help but root for her. The world is fascinating and fun to explore. I worried I was going to be lost in the courtroom scenes, but I was never confused. There are kidnapped cats and overworked gluten-allergic assistants and AI pastors who will steal your heart, and so many moments where I just had to chuckle at the inner narration of Max. I enjoyed myself so much, and it gets 4.5 stars from me! I can't wait to see what Schwabauer has in store next!
A jury was, after all, a human animal, and nothing clogged the gears of civilization so thoroughly as a human.
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
re-read 2025:
This was just as much fun the second time through. Color me prepared for part 2 this fall! (I also listened to the audiobook this time through and it was a great time 👏)
May 2, 2022
Loved it! Funny, clever, compulsively readable. Daniel's writing never misses a single beat; it's so tight. Every sentence necessary. Great ending, but I was so disappointed to be done!
January 16, 2022
What a fantastic story! There’s simply no other word for this hilariously heartfelt, unexpected tale.
Daniel Schwabauer (lovingly known as Mr S) has a knack for unique characters that are so real, and stories that are utterly different. I couldn’t care less about law and contracts and courtroom policy, but I enjoyed every second of this book.
I haven’t read a book this quickly in so long! It’s so easy to read, while still being deep and artfully layered with plot threads. I just kept turning pages!
In short, I cannot wait to see what Mr S comes out with next. I definitely recommend this fabulous book for anyone who wants a hit of heartfelt-ness in a hilarious package.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
Daniel Schwabauer (lovingly known as Mr S) has a knack for unique characters that are so real, and stories that are utterly different. I couldn’t care less about law and contracts and courtroom policy, but I enjoyed every second of this book.
I haven’t read a book this quickly in so long! It’s so easy to read, while still being deep and artfully layered with plot threads. I just kept turning pages!
In short, I cannot wait to see what Mr S comes out with next. I definitely recommend this fabulous book for anyone who wants a hit of heartfelt-ness in a hilarious package.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
November 4, 2025
I really enjoyed listening to this book. I like a good sci-fi, but I've had a very hard time finding good ones in the Christian fiction genre. Most of the Christian ones tend to go in an end-of-the-world direction.
This was a fun look at a futuristic world, law, and how aliens might introduce themselves.
The faith element was there, but very light, easy to miss, and rather ambiguous.
This was a fun look at a futuristic world, law, and how aliens might introduce themselves.
The faith element was there, but very light, easy to miss, and rather ambiguous.
May 2, 2022
Note: I listened to this on audiobook. Please excuse any misspellings of words or names that I didn't have the ability to look at.
That was quite a ride, and a fun one! When Enclave Publishing first announced this book, my first thought was that my mom would probably love it. She enjoys courtroom dramas, sci-fi, and fun, zany stories. I thought I might like it too, but thought my mom was truly closer to the target audience, so I convinced her to give it a try. She enjoyed it so much! We talked about it enough for her to convince me to try it myself, but she made sure not to spoil me on major plot points. When I got around to reading it (well, listening to it) I truly ripped through it at lightning speed. It was just that much fun! I was immediately drawn in by Maxine's first-person narrative which dripped with her quirky, bold, but sometimes vulnerable personality.
As stated in the book's synopsis, a group of aliens claims to have invented a serum that will cure humanity of all our genetic deformities, diseases, and natural flaws (think everything from cancer, to birth defects, to allergies) but they want 30% of earth's gold reserves in exchange. So, they approach Maxine Justice to represent them. It all seemed too good to be true and I suspected there was going to be a catch in there somewhere. Well, there was a catch, and it was a doozy! I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but it was truly just so much fun to discover how Maxine would handle every curveball thrown at her. When she ended up in alien court, trying to defend all the people of planet earth, I practically wanted to cheer when she made her final argument.
And even amid all the fun, there were layers of depth to Maxine and the story that added a certain richness to it. A lot of the deeper things touch on spoilery stuff, so I won't go into detail, but I will say I thought it was interesting how the author slipped in the Christian faith element. Some of Enclave Publishing's books have overt Christian faith content whereas some are simply good and clean stories written by Christians. I'd say this one fell in between those two categories. There was a sincere faith thread present, but it was not constant, nor will you find any preaching, alter calls, or salvation scenes. But it was still enough to be thought-provoking.
On an unexpectedly related note, I also thought the author's handling of androids (one specific android, anyway) was thought-provoking. To me, it was reminiscent of the handling of the character "Data" in the TV show "Star Trek: The Next Generation," at least insofar as it makes one think about the concepts of choice, and, in this case, the nature of belief and faith. I could potentially write a whole essay here, but decided to put most of my deeper thoughts on this in the content advisory. The short version is: I liked this element, I thought it was handled well, and I even got pretty attached to our android character, who ended up being one of the most likable characters in the whole story.
Overall, this whole book was a big barrel of fun, several laughs, and a handful of sober, thoughtful moments. I truly enjoyed it and would love more of the same from this author. To be honest, if they turned this into a movie or TV series, I'd probably watch that, too!
Recommended to fans of both "Perry Mason" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." (Who would have thought those two would go together? XD)
Content Advisory:
No language that I recall.
Sexual:
It's implied that Maxine once had a fling with a co-worker at her previous workplace, but there are no details about it. The fact that it happened is only ever briefly referenced, and mainly in relation to Maxine's regret about it, and/or explaining why she and the man no longer want to be around each other.
Violence:
Someone gets stealthily drugged and passes out. (The person is ultimately okay.)
Maxine thinks a few times about how she'd like to punch someone in the face or kick them in the groin, but never actually does.
Someone's finger gets shot off, while someone else gets (fatally) shot in the chest. Minimal description besides brief mention of blood on a shirt.
Magic:
None. This is pure sci-fi with lots of made-up futuristic tech. There are space aliens, but they don't have special abilities beyond what can be achieved through fictional advanced technology.
Spiritual:
The story does occasionally touch on Christian faith. This is mainly due to the fact that, after a certain incident in the story, a judge assigns Maxine a counselor. Many jobs in this fictional world are done by androids that look and act human. (The judge who assigned the counselor to Maxine is an android himself.) Maxine's counselor (Counselor Singh) is called a "pastoroid" (sp?), aka an android counselor who counsels from a Christian perspective. Unlike many elements in the story that are treated with a degree of levity, this element is treated with respect and seriousness. Maxine doesn't initially appreciate that Singh was assigned to her, but ultimately benefits from his counsel in a deep, touching way, and Singh's counsel remains compassionate, sincere, and biblically sound throughout the story.
As stated in my review, the androids in this story are treated much like the android character named "Data" in "Star Trek: Next Generation," by which I mean that they are programmed with unique personalities, and are able to replicate human behavior in such a way as to appear sentient. (The story doesn't ever directly address the concept of sentience in an android, but Singh acts and is treated very much like a human, though Maxine never stops acknowledging that he is an android.) The androids are able to make their own choices, and while many counselor droids (apparently there are androids that counsel from the perspectives of many different religions, but we never meet any others) simply repeat the tenets of their assigned religion to their clients. However, Counselor Singh states that, somewhere along the way, he realized that he could not tell his clients to do and believe things he didn't actually believe himself, so he made the decision to truly investigate what the Bible said, and then made the decision to truly believe and practice it for himself.
Now, I will note here that the story never, at any point, states or implies that android Counselor Singh has a soul in order to experience salvation. Even when he later it is not treated the same way, or with the same gravity as a human The story simply states that he made a choice to believe and practice what the Bible says. It also states that choosing to believe something is the definition of faith. However, the only time biblical salvation is addressed is when the story addresses the concept of a "multiverse," which many of the characters in this fictional world apparently believe exists. Maxine briefly asks Singh about it and he basically says he believes that, if there is a multiverse, then Jesus' sacrifice covers all of them.
That was quite a ride, and a fun one! When Enclave Publishing first announced this book, my first thought was that my mom would probably love it. She enjoys courtroom dramas, sci-fi, and fun, zany stories. I thought I might like it too, but thought my mom was truly closer to the target audience, so I convinced her to give it a try. She enjoyed it so much! We talked about it enough for her to convince me to try it myself, but she made sure not to spoil me on major plot points. When I got around to reading it (well, listening to it) I truly ripped through it at lightning speed. It was just that much fun! I was immediately drawn in by Maxine's first-person narrative which dripped with her quirky, bold, but sometimes vulnerable personality.
As stated in the book's synopsis, a group of aliens claims to have invented a serum that will cure humanity of all our genetic deformities, diseases, and natural flaws (think everything from cancer, to birth defects, to allergies) but they want 30% of earth's gold reserves in exchange. So, they approach Maxine Justice to represent them. It all seemed too good to be true and I suspected there was going to be a catch in there somewhere. Well, there was a catch, and it was a doozy! I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but it was truly just so much fun to discover how Maxine would handle every curveball thrown at her. When she ended up in alien court, trying to defend all the people of planet earth, I practically wanted to cheer when she made her final argument.
And even amid all the fun, there were layers of depth to Maxine and the story that added a certain richness to it. A lot of the deeper things touch on spoilery stuff, so I won't go into detail, but I will say I thought it was interesting how the author slipped in the Christian faith element. Some of Enclave Publishing's books have overt Christian faith content whereas some are simply good and clean stories written by Christians. I'd say this one fell in between those two categories. There was a sincere faith thread present, but it was not constant, nor will you find any preaching, alter calls, or salvation scenes. But it was still enough to be thought-provoking.
On an unexpectedly related note, I also thought the author's handling of androids (one specific android, anyway) was thought-provoking. To me, it was reminiscent of the handling of the character "Data" in the TV show "Star Trek: The Next Generation," at least insofar as it makes one think about the concepts of choice, and, in this case, the nature of belief and faith. I could potentially write a whole essay here, but decided to put most of my deeper thoughts on this in the content advisory. The short version is: I liked this element, I thought it was handled well, and I even got pretty attached to our android character, who ended up being one of the most likable characters in the whole story.
Overall, this whole book was a big barrel of fun, several laughs, and a handful of sober, thoughtful moments. I truly enjoyed it and would love more of the same from this author. To be honest, if they turned this into a movie or TV series, I'd probably watch that, too!
Recommended to fans of both "Perry Mason" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." (Who would have thought those two would go together? XD)
Content Advisory:
No language that I recall.
Sexual:
It's implied that Maxine once had a fling with a co-worker at her previous workplace, but there are no details about it. The fact that it happened is only ever briefly referenced, and mainly in relation to Maxine's regret about it, and/or explaining why she and the man no longer want to be around each other.
Violence:
Someone gets stealthily drugged and passes out. (The person is ultimately okay.)
Maxine thinks a few times about how she'd like to punch someone in the face or kick them in the groin, but never actually does.
Someone's finger gets shot off, while someone else gets (fatally) shot in the chest. Minimal description besides brief mention of blood on a shirt.
Magic:
None. This is pure sci-fi with lots of made-up futuristic tech. There are space aliens, but they don't have special abilities beyond what can be achieved through fictional advanced technology.
Spiritual:
The story does occasionally touch on Christian faith. This is mainly due to the fact that, after a certain incident in the story, a judge assigns Maxine a counselor. Many jobs in this fictional world are done by androids that look and act human. (The judge who assigned the counselor to Maxine is an android himself.) Maxine's counselor (Counselor Singh) is called a "pastoroid" (sp?), aka an android counselor who counsels from a Christian perspective. Unlike many elements in the story that are treated with a degree of levity, this element is treated with respect and seriousness. Maxine doesn't initially appreciate that Singh was assigned to her, but ultimately benefits from his counsel in a deep, touching way, and Singh's counsel remains compassionate, sincere, and biblically sound throughout the story.
As stated in my review, the androids in this story are treated much like the android character named "Data" in "Star Trek: Next Generation," by which I mean that they are programmed with unique personalities, and are able to replicate human behavior in such a way as to appear sentient. (The story doesn't ever directly address the concept of sentience in an android, but Singh acts and is treated very much like a human, though Maxine never stops acknowledging that he is an android.) The androids are able to make their own choices, and while many counselor droids (apparently there are androids that counsel from the perspectives of many different religions, but we never meet any others) simply repeat the tenets of their assigned religion to their clients. However, Counselor Singh states that, somewhere along the way, he realized that he could not tell his clients to do and believe things he didn't actually believe himself, so he made the decision to truly investigate what the Bible said, and then made the decision to truly believe and practice it for himself.
Now, I will note here that the story never, at any point, states or implies that android Counselor Singh has a soul in order to experience salvation. Even when he later it is not treated the same way, or with the same gravity as a human The story simply states that he made a choice to believe and practice what the Bible says. It also states that choosing to believe something is the definition of faith. However, the only time biblical salvation is addressed is when the story addresses the concept of a "multiverse," which many of the characters in this fictional world apparently believe exists. Maxine briefly asks Singh about it and he basically says he believes that, if there is a multiverse, then Jesus' sacrifice covers all of them.
May 23, 2023
Such a fun mix of Big Hero 6, Doctor Who, and legal thriller with animated, colorful characters and moral quandaries galore! Thought-provoking and complex, this is a very well-crafted book that I definitely hope to return to sometime.
October 7, 2025
Counselor Singh <3
November 8, 2024
Reread 2024: the second time around makes it even better!
October 28, 2025
This is possibly one of the most unique books I’ve ever picked up- I’m not quite sure what I just read, but in the best way possible. I loved this book. 😂 What a fun concept, and some of those twists?? I’m immediately moving on to my ARC of book two 😆
October 10, 2024
I didn’t know what to expect when I first heard about this book. Mr. Schwabauer’s previous novel, Operation Grendel, had immediately piqued my interest, as it was military science fiction, a subgenre I’ve read plenty. Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney--well, this appeared to be a combination of subgenres I hadn’t really seen before. But I was confident I would enjoy it, based on my experience with the author’s four previous novels, as well as his short stories.
In the first couple chapters, I thought I had it figured out. This was going to be like that old show Night Court--if, in an alternate universe, Terry Pratchett wrote the screenplay.
But even that eccentric categorization proved far too limiting, as this snarky narrative shaped up to be a high-stakes thriller of extraterrestrial proportions. The wit and satiric edge remained, but the drama became quite poignant and heartfelt.
Throughout the constant uncertainty and mystery of this adventure, the heart and warmth subtly underlying the whole story--particularly embodied in the mentor figure--was something I found surprising and oddly comforting.
The themes that bled through in the expertly crafted narrative of this story are ones that don’t get explored often enough, and they seem particularly relevant these days.
The creative critiques of certain professions, corporate modi operandi, and general human tendencies, as seen through the eyes of Max, were thoughtful and insightful.
And the characters were amazing. Fully realized, very human, and quite lovable.
So, Mr. Schwabauer has now explored journalism in Operation Grendel, and law practice in Maxine Justice. What’s next?
Whatever it is, I’m all in.
I received an advance reader copy from Enclave for an objective review.
In the first couple chapters, I thought I had it figured out. This was going to be like that old show Night Court--if, in an alternate universe, Terry Pratchett wrote the screenplay.
But even that eccentric categorization proved far too limiting, as this snarky narrative shaped up to be a high-stakes thriller of extraterrestrial proportions. The wit and satiric edge remained, but the drama became quite poignant and heartfelt.
Throughout the constant uncertainty and mystery of this adventure, the heart and warmth subtly underlying the whole story--particularly embodied in the mentor figure--was something I found surprising and oddly comforting.
The themes that bled through in the expertly crafted narrative of this story are ones that don’t get explored often enough, and they seem particularly relevant these days.
The creative critiques of certain professions, corporate modi operandi, and general human tendencies, as seen through the eyes of Max, were thoughtful and insightful.
And the characters were amazing. Fully realized, very human, and quite lovable.
So, Mr. Schwabauer has now explored journalism in Operation Grendel, and law practice in Maxine Justice. What’s next?
Whatever it is, I’m all in.
I received an advance reader copy from Enclave for an objective review.
August 13, 2023
"You can trust me," I said, "I'm a lawyer."
"I'm saying you're a lawyer," he interrupted. "You think in shades of gray."
There were so many facets to this story ~ an in depth look at humanity, the world, greed, trust, honesty, AI, a long list.....
This book was compelling, fast-paced, filled with life-lessons, and very, very humorous. Counselor Singh was the highlight of the book.
"I'm saying you're a lawyer," he interrupted. "You think in shades of gray."
There were so many facets to this story ~ an in depth look at humanity, the world, greed, trust, honesty, AI, a long list.....
This book was compelling, fast-paced, filled with life-lessons, and very, very humorous. Counselor Singh was the highlight of the book.
December 20, 2021
Daniel Schwabauer is such a master in the art of surprise twists and foreshadowing, as well as creating real, likable characters that you want to spend time with.
I was so thrilled to read an ARC of this novel, and I can’t praise it enough. If you love science fiction and courtroom drama then this is the fun read you’ve been looking for!
I was so thrilled to read an ARC of this novel, and I can’t praise it enough. If you love science fiction and courtroom drama then this is the fun read you’ve been looking for!
July 29, 2023
“If I weren’t a lawyer and a skeptic, I’d be tempted to call it miraculous.”
Excellent extended lawyer/scientist/politician joke. Using the maybe- benevolent alien invader model, Justice sends up lawyers, courts, and those who thrive on their weaponization of life. The protagonist swims against the stream to save her clients while barely keeping afloat herself.
“You really just . . . chose to believe?” “Everyone chooses. There is no factory setting. Either you embrace meaning, or you let it slip away.” “You think it’s that simple?’ “No, I think it’s that terrible.”
A single point of view and unreliable narrator forces readers to sort out what’s really happening. And what it means. Most plot turns are well foreshadowed. Robotic counselor spoofs all-knowing AIs common to modern SF. A fun read.
“I’ll tell you what I believe, Max. I believe reality is much, much weirder than we imagine.”
Excellent extended lawyer/scientist/politician joke. Using the maybe- benevolent alien invader model, Justice sends up lawyers, courts, and those who thrive on their weaponization of life. The protagonist swims against the stream to save her clients while barely keeping afloat herself.
“You really just . . . chose to believe?” “Everyone chooses. There is no factory setting. Either you embrace meaning, or you let it slip away.” “You think it’s that simple?’ “No, I think it’s that terrible.”
A single point of view and unreliable narrator forces readers to sort out what’s really happening. And what it means. Most plot turns are well foreshadowed. Robotic counselor spoofs all-knowing AIs common to modern SF. A fun read.
“I’ll tell you what I believe, Max. I believe reality is much, much weirder than we imagine.”
April 14, 2022
A humorous, adventure-filled science fiction that you won’t want it end! The witty lines and high-stakes tension makes this book impossible to put down. Maxine is the flawed, hilarious heroine I’ve always wanted, and I’ve never laughed so long and so hard as when reading her story. This is a must-read!
September 4, 2024
(SEPT. 2024)
Re-reading in prep for Book 2 (!!)
So fun to revisit Maxine’s world and see more of the layers at play in the story. Also - I forgot how emotional the ending gets.
(APRIL 2022)
Maxine is bursting with personality and her adventures throughout are engaging and thought-provoking.
The audiobook reader is particularly good as well!
Re-reading in prep for Book 2 (!!)
So fun to revisit Maxine’s world and see more of the layers at play in the story. Also - I forgot how emotional the ending gets.
(APRIL 2022)
Maxine is bursting with personality and her adventures throughout are engaging and thought-provoking.
The audiobook reader is particularly good as well!
April 11, 2022
MAXINE JUSTICE: GALACTIC ATTORNEY is an intriguing story set on a futuristic earth with an underdog protagonist and some canny aliens. The protagonist is easily relatable and the story engaging for an interesting and engrossing Sci-Fi.
I read this author's last book that completely blew me away, so I had fairly high expectations going into this book. The thing is that you can't compare them. The stories were very, very different with the only similarities being that they're both sci-fi with aliens. I think that threw me a bit. I really liked Max who was this complex character down on her luck. It seemed that those who didn't like her were determined to make her life miserable. She also was really relatable and likable mostly because she was just trying to survive, had a fairly strong moral compass but also one that could bend a bit, and had a frank, sarcastic voice. I also loved that she was willing to fight and throw some punches while being intelligent while doing it. The story itself had an interesting concept that made me wonder exactly what was going on, with a satisfying ending that didn't tie everything up too perfectly.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an overall intriguing story and well-carried-out premise with a likable main character. I think I wanted a bit more or was expecting something a bit different, but still really enjoyed this one.
Content: Some violence and innuendo, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the tour host/NetGalley, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I read this author's last book that completely blew me away, so I had fairly high expectations going into this book. The thing is that you can't compare them. The stories were very, very different with the only similarities being that they're both sci-fi with aliens. I think that threw me a bit. I really liked Max who was this complex character down on her luck. It seemed that those who didn't like her were determined to make her life miserable. She also was really relatable and likable mostly because she was just trying to survive, had a fairly strong moral compass but also one that could bend a bit, and had a frank, sarcastic voice. I also loved that she was willing to fight and throw some punches while being intelligent while doing it. The story itself had an interesting concept that made me wonder exactly what was going on, with a satisfying ending that didn't tie everything up too perfectly.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an overall intriguing story and well-carried-out premise with a likable main character. I think I wanted a bit more or was expecting something a bit different, but still really enjoyed this one.
Content: Some violence and innuendo, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the tour host/NetGalley, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
April 3, 2022
Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney
by Daniel Schwabauer
Rating: 4.5/5
Wow. Having never read anything from this author before I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I was able to get my hands on an ARC and also listen to the audiobook which made the experience even better. After I finished reading the book, I realized I have not read a lot of books containing legal language and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. More on that later.
First, the cover is gorgeous and the concept made me want to read it. I’m a huge fan of Enclave and they have an amazing eye for covers and unique stories.
Second, the story was so unique and different and interesting. Lol. The author has an amazing imagination and I can’t wait to read more from him. I gave the book a chance and did not regret it.
Third, the characters are so fun. I loved Maxine’s character. I really enjoyed getting into her head and seeing that world through her eyes. She is definitely someone I’d love to be friends with. ;) Her passion for justice for her clients was great and I loved how her mind worked. Her relationship with Counselor Singh was so sweet.
Fourth, I laughed so much. The humor is well done and well deserved.
Highly recommend if you enjoy sci-fi with a strong female protagonist, mystery, and humor.
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
by Daniel Schwabauer
Rating: 4.5/5
Wow. Having never read anything from this author before I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I was able to get my hands on an ARC and also listen to the audiobook which made the experience even better. After I finished reading the book, I realized I have not read a lot of books containing legal language and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. More on that later.
First, the cover is gorgeous and the concept made me want to read it. I’m a huge fan of Enclave and they have an amazing eye for covers and unique stories.
Second, the story was so unique and different and interesting. Lol. The author has an amazing imagination and I can’t wait to read more from him. I gave the book a chance and did not regret it.
Third, the characters are so fun. I loved Maxine’s character. I really enjoyed getting into her head and seeing that world through her eyes. She is definitely someone I’d love to be friends with. ;) Her passion for justice for her clients was great and I loved how her mind worked. Her relationship with Counselor Singh was so sweet.
Fourth, I laughed so much. The humor is well done and well deserved.
Highly recommend if you enjoy sci-fi with a strong female protagonist, mystery, and humor.
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
December 13, 2021
Man, this is such a good book.
The characters are well developed, from the allies to the antagonists. I loved Maxine Justice's sarcastic wit, her friendship with her law clerk Kenji, and her struggle between her love of justice and her own human failings. Her backstory is skillfully teased out, and watching her develop from a hot-headed ambulance chaser was a joy.
I am by no means a consumer of legal fiction, but Schwabauer manages to translate it for lawyerese-impared readers such as myself. The worldbuilding of the city of York is well done, with unique sci-fi concepts such as pastoroids (robotic counselors equipped with comforting scripture), aliens in "human suits", and skyboards looming on the horizon.
The plot is very active, with enough twists, turns, and stakes that I couldn't put the novel down. The ending left a few loose threads I would have liked tied up, plus a few threads I'm still confused about.
From the first sentence, Daniel Schwabauer's humor shines through this novel. Despite (or perhaps because of) the humorous tone, Daniel Schwabauer weaves in deep truths about human nature, justice, greed, anger, and different ways fighting back. I did not go into this book expecting to cry, but that's what happened. This book was a ride I'm eager to take again.
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
The characters are well developed, from the allies to the antagonists. I loved Maxine Justice's sarcastic wit, her friendship with her law clerk Kenji, and her struggle between her love of justice and her own human failings. Her backstory is skillfully teased out, and watching her develop from a hot-headed ambulance chaser was a joy.
I am by no means a consumer of legal fiction, but Schwabauer manages to translate it for lawyerese-impared readers such as myself. The worldbuilding of the city of York is well done, with unique sci-fi concepts such as pastoroids (robotic counselors equipped with comforting scripture), aliens in "human suits", and skyboards looming on the horizon.
The plot is very active, with enough twists, turns, and stakes that I couldn't put the novel down. The ending left a few loose threads I would have liked tied up, plus a few threads I'm still confused about.
From the first sentence, Daniel Schwabauer's humor shines through this novel. Despite (or perhaps because of) the humorous tone, Daniel Schwabauer weaves in deep truths about human nature, justice, greed, anger, and different ways fighting back. I did not go into this book expecting to cry, but that's what happened. This book was a ride I'm eager to take again.
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
March 30, 2022
This is an interesting novel exploring the flaws in humanity, from individuals to corporations to the legal system. I like the basic plot idea. Rather than aliens taking over the earth by force, they want to do it through trickery using the intergalactic legal system. Schwabauer has an entertaining writing style, easy to read except for the legalese, and with some humor.
There was a great deal of legalese and I did not understand much of it. Actually, I could not follow some of the legal process, negotiating sessions and court appearances either. I did appreciate Max's flawed character. We can certainly understand her temptation to wealth and influence. The character I really liked the best was the TheraPod, Singh. A robot programmed as a religious therapist, he had actually embraced biblical teaching. I appreciated the Christian comments he made.
Although I had difficulty following the legal process in the plot, I did like the plot concept, the characters and the general actions of Max. This is a book for lovers of science fiction, exploring a different way aliens might attempt to conquer earth.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
There was a great deal of legalese and I did not understand much of it. Actually, I could not follow some of the legal process, negotiating sessions and court appearances either. I did appreciate Max's flawed character. We can certainly understand her temptation to wealth and influence. The character I really liked the best was the TheraPod, Singh. A robot programmed as a religious therapist, he had actually embraced biblical teaching. I appreciated the Christian comments he made.
Although I had difficulty following the legal process in the plot, I did like the plot concept, the characters and the general actions of Max. This is a book for lovers of science fiction, exploring a different way aliens might attempt to conquer earth.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
May 16, 2024
This was such an interesting story. Maxine is really a rogue attorney. She's had enough of the nonsense in the world and she's going to go it on her own with her own law office. Except, that doesn't go as well as she hoped and clearly doesn't pay the bills. She takes an offer that looks too good to be true, so you know what that means! It's pretty much all downhill for Maxine from there on out.
Euphemia, errr, Maxine simply wants justice, hence her name. But it seems like throughout the story that's not all she wants. She also doesn't seem to be a quick learner. In fact, she's rather stubborn and bullheaded. I guess being a lawyer that is necessary, but whew, maybe not as much as she has.
I thought this world (our future) was quite believable. Gave me a sense of Jetsons and Night Court. Sometimes I was laughing and wasn't sure I should be.
I think most teens and young adults would enjoy this story. I know I did and would actually love a second installment.
*while I received an ARC from the publisher, I listened to the book on audiobook.
Euphemia, errr, Maxine simply wants justice, hence her name. But it seems like throughout the story that's not all she wants. She also doesn't seem to be a quick learner. In fact, she's rather stubborn and bullheaded. I guess being a lawyer that is necessary, but whew, maybe not as much as she has.
I thought this world (our future) was quite believable. Gave me a sense of Jetsons and Night Court. Sometimes I was laughing and wasn't sure I should be.
I think most teens and young adults would enjoy this story. I know I did and would actually love a second installment.
*while I received an ARC from the publisher, I listened to the book on audiobook.
April 1, 2022
If you're looking for a speculative fiction with witty characters and a storyline that's bound to keep you entertained, then Maxine Justice is for you. Maxine is the type of character that seems to have everything that could go wrong to go wrong with her, and her reactions are what kept me entertained throughout the book. I honestly couldn't figure out what she might do, and the constant tension she faced as her world slowly fell apart pushed the plot and kept the characters on the run. I love the writing style. It's clean yet descriptive and it doesn't get in the way of the action. Maybe it's just me, but Maxine reminded me of Bruce Willis' character in The Fifth Element. She wasn't exactly looking to do the right thing, but she pushed through when it came time to make a decision that affected the world. I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
December 28, 2021
Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney is a really good story with unique characters and interesting plot! I don’t read legal thrillers, but I do enjoy a good scifi story. The combination of the two genres was well executed by Schwabauer.
The ending was quite unexpected and I don’t know how I feel right now…😭🥲😊🤗
It’s a good read and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy scifi fantasy with a little humor and legal drama thrown in for good measure. It’s probably best for older teen and adult readers, but there’s no language, sex, or gore.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5 stars)
I was given an eARC from the publisher/author to read and review. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
The ending was quite unexpected and I don’t know how I feel right now…😭🥲😊🤗
It’s a good read and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy scifi fantasy with a little humor and legal drama thrown in for good measure. It’s probably best for older teen and adult readers, but there’s no language, sex, or gore.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5 stars)
I was given an eARC from the publisher/author to read and review. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
May 19, 2022
Maxine Justice (formerly known as Euphemia) is determined to make it as a lawyer despite her disastrous entry to the field. Her fortunes go from bad to worse until some strange people approach her for legal representation. They claim to be extra terrestrials, and they want her help securing 1/3rd of the earth's gold in exchange for a cure to all natural flaws. Crack pots? Maxine is sure of it. But they're crack pots who can pay, and she has nothing to lose. Or does she?
This story subtly explored themes of belief, morality, and courage through the eyes of a determined, confused, and general upbeat heroine.
This story subtly explored themes of belief, morality, and courage through the eyes of a determined, confused, and general upbeat heroine.
June 30, 2022
This was a fun, witty, sci-fi romp. I loved Maxine Justice in all her flawed, sometimes obnoxious, self. She continually challenges the status quo and that gets her into hot water with the powers that be, but in the end that may be her strength. This was my first book by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect, in the end, I’m glad I took a chance a read it.
June 3, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book and want to thank my daughter, Katie, for recommending this book to me. The book was fun to read with characters you can root for despite their earthly flaws. The story line is good too.
October 6, 2025
This book didn't sound super interesting to me when I first picked it up, but it was one of those that seems to start off right in the middle of the plot and was exciting from start to finish! The dialogue had me laughing out loud, it was such a hilariously well-written book. Maxine is my new favorite protagonist!
February 9, 2023
This was a hoot. About a 75 minute movie could be made out of this and it would be a fun romp. Nothing serious, but darn entertaining.
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